KANSAS CITY: England’s World Cup preparations were disrupted after equipment belonging to the team was stolen ahead of their opening match, according to British media reports.
According to reports, locks on a vehicle transporting the team’s equipment were broken in Kansas City, where items including training boots and footballs may have been taken.
The Football Association is working to determine the full extent of the missing equipment, British media said.
Reports added that the team’s kit and luggage were scheduled to arrive in Kansas City ahead of the squad, with players and coaching staff expected to arrive on Saturday.
Police are investigating the incident in coordination with the Football Association, and two people have reportedly been arrested on suspicion of involvement.
The theft could potentially disrupt England’s preparations ahead of their opening match against Croatia, with the team scheduled to hold its first training session on Sunday.
Earlier, United States secured a commanding 4–1 victory over Paraguay in a World Cup match played in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The US took control early, leading 3–0 by halftime after a dominant first-half performance.
The opening goal came via an own goal by Paraguay’s Buba Dela, followed by a strike from American midfielder Brenden Aaronson. Just seconds before the halftime whistle, Aaronson scored again to give the U.S. a 3–0 advantage.
Giovanni Reyna added the fourth goal in the closing stages to seal the win for the Americans.
Paraguay managed to pull one goal back in the 73rd minute through Marcio, but it proved only a consolation as the United States maintained control until the final whistle.
The result gives the United States a strong start to its World Cup campaign, while Paraguay will look to regroup ahead of its next fixture.
Meanwhile, hosts Canada and Bosnia played out a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested World Cup match on the tournament’s second day.
Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic finished a well-worked move to put his side ahead, silencing the home crowd early in the match.
Canada pressed forward aggressively throughout the first half but went into the break trailing 1–0 despite several scoring chances.
The hosts increased their intensity in the second half, creating sustained pressure on the Bosnia defense, though clear-cut chances initially went unfinished.
Canada eventually found the equalizer in the 79th minute when Kyle scored with a powerful strike, bringing the match level at 1–1.
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Both sides pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages, but neither team was able to convert late opportunities, and the match ended in a draw.
